Coventry's 15th century Priory Row could be transformed into a ‘chocolate box’ destination for visitors to the city.

The historic Lychgate Cottages next to Holy Trinity Church may be given a make-over and rented out as part of a new scheme to put some of the city’s oldest buildings to new use.

The proposal has been put forward by a new charity which has been launched in Coventry to protect the city’s threatened heritage.

The trust - Historic Coventry - is the brainchild of the group behind the restoration of The Charterhouse, which will be the centrepiece of a new 70-acre Heritage Park and recently secured Heritage Lottery backing of £4.7million.

The trust is looking at using the remainder of the Charterhouse estate - coach house, gardens and parkland - to form part of the attraction.

Non-Conformist Chapel in London Road Cemetery, which could be turned into offices linked to the technology park.

It has also earmarked the derelict Non-Conformist Chapel in London Road Cemetry as a possible project - transforming the building into offices linked to the technology park.

The plans also include Whitefriars Gate - part of the old City Walls and more recently the Old Toy Museum - which would be used for Landmark Trust-style visitor accommodation. The stone gate would be turned into two cottages.

And another possible project is Whitefriars Monastery where the trust is looking at options with Coventry University and Culture Coventry for restoration, opening up the massive hall on the first floor for possible public and university use.

Ian Harrabin, who helped set up the trust to save Charterhouse, believes the plan will create a “National Trust for Coventry”, turning problem buildings into assets that will boost the local visitor economy.

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He said: “This initiative is driven by a desire to ensure that our 1,000 years of heritage is protected, maintained and, where suitable, put to a sympathetic use for the next 1,000 years.

“By the very nature of heritage properties, the number of them increases with time. Several buildings created in the 20th century in Coventry are now listed and the trust is intended to act as a possible lifeline when any built heritage is under threat.

“While that means the city has more heritage assets, it also creates a growing burden in keeping them repaired and finding new uses. As buildings age, the day-to-day maintenance is very important and if buildings are not maintained properly, decay soon sets in which means elements have to be replaced or at worst buildings are lost.

Whitefriars Gate to be used for Landmark Trust-style visitor accommodation with some new buildings adjoining to help cross subsidise the restoration. The stone Gate would make two cottages.

“Local authorities are going through unprecedented cuts which inevitably mean that attention is focused on their core assets. Yet some of the lesser buildings offer great opportunities to boost the visitor economy and add to the possible bid for City of Culture.”

The first projects for the trust could result from talks with Coventry City Council about taking over the management of several heritage buildings in the city, raising funds for much-needed restoration and improvement, and creating new uses to add to the city’s visitor appeal and image change.

Plans include using some of the ancient buildings as unique visitor accommodation - along the lines of the Landmark Trust which provides short stay breaks in heritage properties across the UK.

The charity believes that taking the stewardship of the buildings into the hands of a community trust will open up new avenues of funding not currently available to local authorities and provide the creative management and attention to detail that is currently not possible with budget cuts.

The trust’s plans have been presented to the Labour and Conservative Groups on the council and business leaders over the past few months with a very positive response.

Mr Harrabin said: “The aims of the trust are that it becomes self-sufficient and doesn’t rely on public revenue funding. Capital grants would be secured from bodies such as the Heritage Lottery Fund, private donors and trusts and charities to restore buildings for reuse and as more funds are raised further buildings can be added.

Ian Harrabin, chairman of Charterhouse Coventry Presentation Trust

“The plan is for the trust to start with smaller properties, that are unused, underused or in need of action. As time goes on it will take on more properties and may be able to take guardianship of structures such as the city wall and gates that are currently a burden to the council.”

“Our view is that uses should be sympathetic and buildings of great age should be semi-retired – they shouldn’t have to work too hard. There is potential for a gentler approach that still allows them to serve a very useful purpose.

“For example there are few, if any, exceptional places to stay in Coventry for visitors, whether they be from major businesses, university visitors or families from abroad bringing their student to the Universities for the first time. Every major investor who is new to the city sees it first of all through the eyes of a tourist. It’s not just about tourism, it’s about boosting Coventry’s appeal to key inward investors.

“The plan is for short stay accommodation of varying sizes that also offer ‘treat’ accommodation for local people and their guests too. Properties would also be open for full public access for the community on Heritage Open Days.”